KF Aerospace expands cargo fleet with ATR 72-500F
KF Aerospace is proud to announce the acquisition of an ATR 72-500 Bulk Freighter (MSN736) from ACIA Aero Leasing, a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services based in Dublin, Ireland. The aircraft will be introduced into KF’s air cargo fleet as early as April 2025 as part of a renewed 10-year contract with Purolator for the BC Feeder Network.
The contract included renewed fleet of three cargo aircraft – two containerized and one bulk loader. KF had previously selected the ATR72-500F to replace the Convair 580s – for which the company is the type-certificate holder.
“Following the awarding of our new air cargo contract, we have committed to a quick turnaround time to implement the fleet renewal,” says Tracy Medve, President and CEO, KF Aerospace. “ACIA has provided a quality aircraft that meets our needs in a very short period of time. This latest transaction represents our first acquisition from ACIA, but our business partnership extends back over many years, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with ACIA.”
The acquisition from ACIA presented an excellent opportunity for KF Aerospace to acquire an aircraft already configured with bulk loading capability and will require minimal work to bring it into service.
“We welcome KF Aerospace as a new trading partner for ACIA Aero Leasing. The Canadian market continues to present multiple opportunities for the ATR platform across both passenger and cargo requirements and KF is a key player in this market. This sale to KF, the second ATR freighter delivered by ACIA to a Canadian operator in the last 6 months, reaffirms our view that the customer base will grow as more and more Canadian airlines recognise the winning attributes of the type for the unique environment, they operate in,” says Michael Mooney, Chief Executive Officer, ACIA.
KF Aerospace has already conducted a full cargo door conversion on its first ATR72-500F for the program at its main facility in Kelowna. A third aircraft will be sourced later this year.